How We Help You Get This Exemption
The agricultural exemption (technically 1-d-1 Open-Space Agricultural Valuation) is the most common property tax reduction available to Texas landowners, but most qualifying properties don't have one. The process is county-specific, documentation-heavy, and easy to get wrong.
We've filed hundreds of agricultural exemptions across Texas. We know the intensity standards, the forms, the deadlines, and the people at the appraisal districts who review your application. You're not getting a form filler. You're getting a team that knows the land.
Agricultural valuation can reduce your property tax bill by $3,000–$10,000 per year depending on your county and acreage. Over five years, that's $15,000–$50,000 in savings. And if you lose your exemption due to a filing error or missed deadline, you face rollback taxes: five years of back taxes plus 7% annual interest.
We prevent that from happening. From the initial assessment to ongoing compliance monitoring, we handle every step so you can focus on working your land.
How We Help
What the County Requires (the hard part)
- Proof of agricultural use for 5 of the last 7 years
- Degree of intensity documentation matching local standards
- Completed Form 50-129 (Application for 1-d-1 Appraisal)
- Supporting evidence: receipts, photos, management records
- Filed by April 30 deadline (or late-file with penalty by June)
- County-specific requirements that vary across 254 districts
What WE Do for You (the easy part)
- Our mapping platform already has your property's soil composition data — sandy, loamy, clay — before you even call
- We calculate and document your intensity levels using satellite and survey data
- We pre-fill Form 50-129 with your property details and review for errors
- Our photo documentation service captures the evidence your county needs
- We set deadline alerts and handle filings on schedule every year
- We maintain current requirements for every county in Texas
Our Technology for Agricultural Exemptions
Our land intelligence platform gives ag exemption applicants a real edge. Here's what we bring to the table:
- Soil Composition Maps: We already know whether your property is sandy loam, black clay, or caliche. That data helps us match your land to the right ag use category and show the appraisal district it can produce.
- Livestock Density Analysis: Our mapping tools calculate optimal stocking rates based on your acreage, soil productivity, and the local intensity standards your county requires.
- Crop Rotation Tracking: For row-crop operations, we monitor planting cycles and help document the continuous agricultural use your county demands.
- Surface Contour Overlays: Topographic data reveals drainage patterns, flood zones, and productive areas. All factors that influence intensity standards and land classification.
- Coming Soon: Smart Property Analysis: Walk your property with our app, take photos of your operation, and we'll automatically identify vegetation types, soil conditions, and evidence of ag use for your application file.
Requirements (We Handle All of This)
| Requirement | What's Needed | How We Handle It |
|---|
| 5-of-7 Year Rule | Property must have been used for agriculture 5 of last 7 years | We research your property history and document qualifying years |
| Degree of Intensity | Must meet local county standards for your ag type | Our data platform calculates intensity against your county's thresholds |
| Form 50-129 | Completed application filed with your county appraisal district | We pre-fill the form with your property data and review every field |
| April 30 Deadline | Applications due annually; late filing accepted through June with penalty | Automated deadline alerts and on-time submission tracking |
| Supporting Documentation | Receipts, photos, lease agreements, management records | We compile, organize, and present your evidence package |
Our Process
Free Assessment
We analyze your property using our mapping data (soil composition, terrain, vegetation) and determine your eligibility.
Recommendation
We tell you exactly which exemption fits your land, the expected savings, and the requirements you'll need to meet.
Documentation
We gather photos, soil data, production records, and property evidence into a thorough application package.
Application
We fill out every form and review for errors. You review and sign. That's it.
Filing
We submit to your county appraisal district on time, every time.
Maintenance
We monitor your exemption, handle renewals, track deadlines, and keep you in compliance year after year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifies as "agricultural use" in Texas?
Texas recognizes a wide range of agricultural activities including livestock raising (cattle, goats, sheep, horses used commercially), crop production (row crops, orchards, vineyards), beekeeping, aquaculture, and more. The key is that the activity must meet your county's "degree of intensity" standard — meaning it must be operated at a level typical for the area, not just a hobby farm.
How much can I save with an agricultural exemption?
Savings vary depending on your county's tax rate, your property's market value, and the agricultural productivity value assigned. Most landowners save between $3,000 and $10,000 per year. On a 50-acre property near Austin valued at $500,000, the savings could exceed $8,000 annually.
What happens if my ag exemption is denied?
If denied, you can protest before your county's Appraisal Review Board (ARB). We help you prepare your protest case with additional documentation and evidence. Knowing how local appraisal districts operate gives you a real edge in the review.
Do I need to do anything myself?
With our Full Service and Service Agent tiers, we handle everything. You just sign the application. With Self-Service, we provide the guides, checklists, and forms — you handle the filing.
What are rollback taxes?
If you lose your agricultural exemption (or voluntarily give it up by changing land use), you'll owe the difference between what you paid under ag valuation and what you would have paid at market value — for the previous 5 years, plus 7% annual interest. On a large property, this can be $20,000–$50,000+.
Can I get an ag exemption on land I just purchased?
If the previous owner had an ag exemption, you can continue it by filing a new application within the first year. If the land wasn't in ag use, you'll typically need to establish agricultural activity and wait for the 5-of-7 year history requirement, though some counties offer initial approval based on a credible management plan.
Plans Starting at $49/yr
Self-service guides or full-service filing. Pick the plan that fits.